Student Training & Exams
The British Ballet Organization (BBO) advocates ‘dance for all’. It believes there should be opportunity for all those interested in acquiring dance performance skills to participate in a well devised, safe and developmental programme of dance study, and to recognise their progress and achievement through taking examinations. Recognized by the Government’s Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA/OFQUAL), the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) the BBO provides an Examination Syllabus in Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern Dance which has been designed to accommodate a wide variety of candidates of different ages, experience and levels of achievement.
Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz Graded and Vocational Examinations
| Level | Graded Examinations |
| Entry |
Pre Syllabus (Not applicable to Jazz)* Pre Primary* Primary* |
| Level 1 |
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 |
| Level 2 |
Grade 4 Grade 5 Intermediate Foundation Intermediate |
| Level 3 |
Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Advanced 1 Advanced 2 Senior Grade Award* |
* Not included in the National Qualifications Framework
It should be noted that Modern is not included in the National Qualifications Framework
Vocational Assessments in Ballet and Tap
Vocational Assessments in Ballet and Tap are not examinations. The main purpose of these assessments is to check that a whole Syllabus has been fully understood and that candidates are preparing themselves properly for an examination. This is an invaluable opportunity to give feedback and reassurance to both candidates and their teachers. Assessments are available from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2.
Assessments and Performance awards
Performance Awards are designed to be a level of attainment for students who enjoy their dance but do not wish to undergo the demands and commitment needed for Graded or Vocational examinations. A student’s dance skill can be recognized through their success in achieving the standard required in the Performance Awards. The experience gained through studying for a Performance Award can also be helpful preparation for a Graded or Vocational examination.
* None of the examinations listed below are included in the National Qualifications Framework. Performance Awards from Grades 1 – 6 are not offered in Ballet
| Assessment | Performance Awards |
| Grade 1 | Pre Syllabus Assessment Not Applicable to Jazz |
| Grade 2 | Pre Primary Not applicable to Modern and Jazz |
| Grade 3 | Primary Not applicable to Modern |
| Grade 4 | Grade 1 |
| Grade 5 | Grade 2 |
| Grade 6 |
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Not applicable to Jazz Intermediate Foundation Intermediate Advanced 1 |
Freestyle Dance Awards
These awards provide an opportunity, incentive and encouragement for all those who enjoy dance as a leisure activity. They have been devised as an alternative branch, distinct and separate from BBO’s syllabi and examination systems. The Freestyle Dance Awards give the candidate an opportunity to perform a series of dances choreographed by their teachers. These build in length and complexity to culminate in the presentation of solos at higher levels. The candidate may perform dances of different styles, such as Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Disco, Character, National and Song and Dance within one Award, but styles must not be mixed within a single dance.